INDOPOSCO.ID – A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team has narrowed its search for the nine remaining victims of the ATR 42-500 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport, following the discovery of one body on the slopes of Mount Bulusaraung in Pangkajene and Islands (Pangkep) Regency, South Sulawesi.
“Our top priority at this stage is searching for the victims. We hope they can be evacuated alive. The search operation involves four ground Search and Rescue Units (SRUs) and two aerial SRUs,” said Head of the Makassar Basarnas Office Muhammad Arif Anwar to reporters in Makassar on Sunday (Jan. 18, 2026).
He explained that four ground SRUs are combing the suspected crash site where the aircraft is believed to have struck Mount Bulusaraung, while other SRUs continue monitoring from the air. In total, the joint SAR operation involves approximately 1,200 personnel.
The team has also located several aircraft fragments during aerial searches conducted using TNI Air Force helicopters, including Calacar and Boeing aircraft. The debris includes parts of the fuselage, the tail section, and aircraft windows.
“As the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), Basarnas has divided the operation into four SRUs across four search points, conducting systematic ground sweeps to ensure no victims are overlooked. This method is based on our experience in previous aircraft crash operations,” Arif said.
Separately, Commander of Korem 141/Toddopuli Brig. Gen. Andre Clift Rumbayan reported that on the second day of the SAR operation, a third SRU discovered additional aircraft equipment.
“Aircraft parts were found, including an engine, six seats, and other components,” Andre said.
Meanwhile, Head of Operations and Alertness at the Makassar Basarnas Office Andi Sultan reported that aside from the one unidentified body that has been evacuated, the team also found other aircraft debris such as wall panels, windows, and the emergency staircase.
“Evacuation of aircraft parts has been postponed until tomorrow due to extreme weather conditions, heavy rain, and thick fog. Visibility at the site is only about three to five meters, and evacuation routes have become slippery after the rain,” he said.
South Sulawesi Police Chief Insp. Gen.
Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro stated that Bhayangkara Hospital under the South Sulawesi Police Medical and Health Division (Biddokes) has been designated as the victim identification center, with Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) personnel deployed from National Police Headquarters.
“As of now, victims’ families have arrived to undergo ante-mortem data collection. One family member present is the younger sibling of the aircraft’s co-pilot,” he said.
To support identification efforts, the police have also carried out outreach services by coordinating with regional Biddokes units to conduct post-mortem and ante-mortem examinations of victims’ families in other areas.
“Today, we added another ante-mortem data set from a victim’s family member located in West Java, specifically Bogor. The data collection was carried out by the West Java Police Biddokes,” he added, as quoted by Antara.
Meanwhile, Commander of the XIV/Hasanuddin Military Regional Command, Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, said the joint SAR team managed to locate the crash site on Mount Bulusaraung, along with aircraft debris, in less than 24 hours.
“Thank God, at the summit of Mount Bulusaraung there is a spot suitable for helicopter landing, allowing us to deploy SAR personnel from Kopasgat and Basarnas along with equipment and communication tools, enabling direct coordination with the main command post,” he said. (aro)
